WHEN homeowners Mark Ong and Sue-Anne Lim decided to make over their three-room flat, they agreed it should be a wallet-friendly revamp.
That's even though Mr Ong - a sneaker customiser responsible for the brand Royalefam - and Ms Lim, an insurance agent, planned a complete overhaul of the flat, which had not been renovated in about 15 years.
'We wanted an open concept. So we knocked down every wall in the flat, save for the storage area,' said Mr Ong.
The couple, both 29, own a Toa Payoh HDB unit that they share with Ms Lim's maternal grandmother, Madam Nancy Voo, 89, and their cats, MiuMiu and Mani.
Now, the flat feels spacious.
White walls are bathed in natural light and the living room flows seamlessly into the industrial- feel kitchen.
The former utility room was turned into a bedroom while one bedroom was turned into a family-entertainment room (which was not ready for pictures at press time).
There is even a walk-in wardrobe for Ms Lim - a feature she has always dreamt about.
So, what was the bill for the dramatic overhaul? A mere $30,000.
Their advice on cutting costs is to have your ideas clearly mapped out, and to work closely with your contractor to figure out what's realistic, as they did with their contractor, Mr Patrick Quek of Ho Bee Renovation.
'I looked at the floor plan and made recommendations based on their budget,' said Mr Quek.
The result is a flat with many wow-factors that didn't break the bank.
'I used to just come home to the flat to sleep,' said Mr Ong. 'Now, I hardly ever want to leave it.'
In short, the couple now have a place they are proud to call home.
